Poor quality images with Nikon D40?

Does anyone know which camera, out of the Canon 300d and the Nikon D40 produces the best quality images?

I used to have the 300d, but then changed to the Nikon D40. I have noticed recently that some of my D40 pics, especially when zoomed in on, look quite bad quality, all pixelated and noisey, but when I look back at photos I took with the Canon, the pictures seem much clearer. I'm seriously considering going back to Canon, as I'm not too happy with the quality of some my pics. I would have to sell my Nikon D40, so would only be able (just about) to get enough money for a 350d. I'd rather progress a little and get the 350, rather than the 300d. I'd really like the 400 or 450d, but they are both totally out of my price range!

Is it just me though, or the Canon 300d slightly higher quality than the Nikon D40?

They're much of a muchness although I would have expected (for shots taken with the camera's deafult settings) the D40 to look a bit more colourful and sharper than the Canon.

I had a D50 and the Nikon certainly seemed to apply a lot more 'in camera' whilst Canon seem to let things be a tad softer.

Are you shooting on the same ISO ?

Think it is likely to be the in camera work that is causing the noise and loosing the detail. Think different manufactures have different ideas on what is wanted, less noise and less detail or more detail and more noise. Could be someone has tweaked the Nikon you could always shoot in RAW with both and then check the results. It is also possible there is a fault, can happen, or it could be the lens.

I found the D40 to be excellent - and guess it is likely to be operator error

You've said you always shoot in manual - I would try using the auto mode first, then move on the the P mode and then when you understand more about shooting in manual only then proceed to it.

Also, try not to crop - shoot for the actual image you had in mind. It's a good habit to get into too.

Sally, maybe it is because you need to get used to using a Nikon instead of a Canon.

The D40 can produce some cracking shots, even with a kit lens.

I know one is in camera sharper than the other, but can't remember which, also read Ken Rockwells guide to the D40 I have seen it recommended on several forums.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40...uide/index.htm

I have just started shooting in Raw and always use Manual modes. I don't really think that is the issue. I don't really know what it could be, maybe it's just something I'm doing.

It just seems that all my Canon photos had so much more clarity than the Nikon, but probably someone else wouldn't get the same results!

Moonstone, thanks for the link. I have actually looked at that Ken Rockwell site before and obviously he doesn't get the same (sometimes) disappointing results that I sem to have got with the Nikon. I still have quite a dirty sensor too, even though we have used a 'Rocket Blower' and some swabs on the sensor...Could that be making a difference to the quality?? I don't think that a tiny bit of dust (that is mainly on one side) would make a lot of difference though.

Also, I have noticed, on all my Nikon pics a type of jelly like haze around the edges of everything??

Also, I have noticed, on all my Nikon pics a type of jelly like haze around the edges of everything??

Think I would be looking at the lens for that effect, Do you get the same problem with both lens, It is possible that the Kit lens is not of the quality you are used to with your Canon and there may just be a fault with the other, I have no idea how good the 28-100 is supposed to be but the fringing is often a lens effect rather than the camera

I reckon you may have a dirty sensor and the advice has been to have it professionally cleaned. If you have swabbed it yourself there is a chance you have left a residue or possibly damaged the sensor. It happened where I used to work on a D200. The other possibilities could be dirty lens, fungus in the lens etc. I wouldn't expect a D40 to be less quality than a D350 and reportedly the kit lens is better.

I just sold a D70s (6MP) with the same 18-55mm lens you have and it was a very good performer and better colour than I have seen on a Canon 300 or 350D.

Sally, if you have tried to clean the sensor yourself and still have dirt, I would get it cleaned properly. I didn't think you had the D40 very long?? bad luck getting dirt on the sensor already

Sally you could rule out the dirty sensor by checking if you ever got shots of the quality you are looking for, if the Nikon has always been soft, with noise and fringing then I would send it back to be sorted, with lens. If it has only just happened then I would take it to be cleaned.